3 days ago
UAE students become local environment ambassadors in EEG's recycling drive
14 Aug 2025 00:28
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)The UAE's young eco-champions are making the most of their summer break by driving environmental action in their communities and collecting as many recyclables as they can. Through Emirates Environmental Group's (EEG) Neighbourhood Recycling Project (NRP), students across the country become local ambassadors for the planet by leading efforts to collect paper, plastic, aluminium cans, glass, mobile phones, toner cartridges, and e-waste - junk saved from ending up in landfills. 'NRP is a powerful demonstration of how student engagement can drive environmental transformation at the grassroots level,' says Habiba Al Mar'ashi, Co-Founder and Chairperson of EEG. 'With over three decades dedicated to sustainability, I can confidently say that when young minds are empowered with purpose, they become lifelong champions of change.'The initiative, launched in 2010 as a summer activity for EEG's student members, has since evolved into a nationwide movement making a lasting impact every year. It is now open to both members and non-members of the group. NRP 2025 kicked off on June 1 and runs until September 30.'The project transforms students from passive learners into active change-makers,' says Al Mar'ashi. 'We are promoting responsible recycling habits and cultivating future leaders who understand that true impact begins within their own communities.'NRP is much more than a sustainability programme; it also hones the youth's leadership, communication, and problem-solving they organise local recycling drives, the students are expected to coordinate with at least 20 families in their neighbourhoods. They also need to plan their campaigns; make their own flyers to spread the word; and handle logistics and other challenges involved in collecting and transporting the recyclable materials. Those who meet their targets are given certificates and an opportunity to plant saplings of native trees in their name, reinforcing the impact of their actions, EEG said. NRP primarily aims to empower the students to take the lead in promoting environmental responsibility and sustainable waste management within their communities.'By engaging youth in hands-on recycling efforts, the project fosters a strong sense of environmental stewardship and contributes directly to the UAE's national sustainability goals, particularly the ambition of achieving Net Zero by 2050,' the EEG said. The project's long-term goals extend beyond the youth and their neighbourhoods. The organisers expect a measurable decrease in landfill waste, better recycling rates, and stronger community ties as a result of increased awareness and community involvement.
'Through this initiative, we are igniting a spirit of environmental literacy, collective responsibility, and community action,' Al Mar'ashi added. 'When neighbourhoods unite around sustainability, they don't just recycle — they reshape a stable and sustainable future.'
